When it comes to adding a touch of drama to your backyard, there’s no better way to do so than with a cascading hanging basket plant. Not only does it disguise a sometimes-ugly planter, but it also turns the wasted space beneath into a riot of lush leaves or fabulous flowers. Whether you want to fill the entire container with a single standout spiller or pair a smaller trailer with beautiful hanging basket blooms to add texture, a trailing plant is a must. And don’t worry about packing your container with plenty of plants: as long as you prep the potting soil with the right ingredients to make a hanging basket low maintenance and keep it well watered, it’ll be just fine.
7 Stunning Trailing Plants That Will Dramatically Cascade From Your Hanging Basket
1. Dichondra Silver Falls
With shapely silver-toned leaves on long stems that cascade to 4 feet, Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ positively shimmers in a hanging basket. Also known as the silver nickel vine, it’s quick to grow so is cheap and easy to start from seed. Although it’s a tender perennial, most folk grow it as an annual in zones 3–10. Seeds are available from Eden Brothers, or you’ll get an even faster result with young plants from Burpee.
Drought- and heat-tolerant, ‘Silver Falls’ is happy in sun or partial shade, and those fast-growing vines don’t need pinching. Tuck a young plant into a hanging basket of blooms or grow a whole planter-full for a fabulous foliage waterfall.
2. Midnight Gold Petunia
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free copy of our e-book “How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes.” Plant your hanging basket with Petunia ‘Midnight Gold’ and everyone will want to know what these opulent trailing flowers are! This new petunia variety has highly unusual blooms, both in their form and purple and gold palette.
So while petunias are a little bit like Marmite – you either love them or you hate them – everyone is sure to adore this cultivar. Stems trail to 2 feet long but plants also grow in a mounding habit to 8 inches high, making for an abundant ball of 2-inch blooms in a hanging basket. Petunias are a faff to start from seed to skip straight to the good bit with young plants, available from Burpee.
Treat Petunia ‘Midnight Gold’ plants as annuals and they can be grown in all zones; in zones 9–11 they may survive the winter and last for another 2–3 years.
3. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
While Black-eyed Susan vine is usually grown up a trellis, Thunbergia alata is just as happy dangling its vining stems downwards from a hanging basket. Growing to 8 feet long, they make quite a patio spectacle! As well as the standard black-eyed Susan vine with orange and yellow flowers, available from Eden Brothers, the ‘African Sunset Mix’ variety brings a beautiful blend of warm-toned blooms in a glorious mix of apricot, salmon, rose, and soft yellow, all with the same signature dark centre.
It’s also available from Eden Brothers. Quick and easy to grow from seed, Thunbergia alata is usually grown as an annual in zones 4–9.
4. Sweet Potato Vine ‘Marguerite’
For a hanging basket trailing with 4–9-feet-long stems of big chartreuse-green, heart-shaped leaves, Sweet Potato Vine ‘Marguerite’ creates a hanging basket like no other. Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’ has larger, more delicate leaves than the regular sweet potato vine, making it perfect for a lush foliage display.
Since sweet potatoes are easy to grow, you can start your Sweet Potato Vine ‘Marguerite’ seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Transplant them into your hanging basket when the weather warms up, and enjoy the stunning foliage display all summer long.
5. Diamond Frost Euryops
For a unique and eye-catching trailing plant, look no further than Diamond Frost Euryops (Euryops pectinatus). This drought-tolerant shrub produces an abundance of small, white flowers with a yellow centre, which trail down its stems to create a beautiful, frosty effect.
Easy to grow in zones 9–11, Diamond Frost Euryops can be grown as an annual in cooler climates by starting seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant them into your hanging basket when the weather warms up, and enjoy the stunning display of white and yellow blooms all summer long.
6. Blue Daze
For a trailing plant with a tropical twist, consider Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus). This low-maintenance shrub produces an abundance of small, blue flowers that trail down its stems to create a beautiful, blue waterfall effect.
Easy to grow in zones 9–11, Blue Daze can be grown as an annual in cooler climates by starting seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant them into your hanging basket when the weather warms up, and enjoy the stunning display of blue blooms all summer long.
7. Variegated Philodendron
For a trailing plant with a beautiful, variegated foliage, consider the Variegated Philodendron (Philodendron spp.). This low-maintenance climber produces an abundance of heart-shaped leaves with white or yellow variegation, which trail down its stems to create a beautiful, tropical effect.
Easy to grow in zones 10–11, the Variegated Philodendron can be grown as an annual in cooler climates by starting seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant them into your hanging basket when the weather warms up, and enjoy the stunning display of variegated foliage all summer long.
You may also enjoy reading: 7 Essential Forever Pieces to Refresh Your Porch for Spring.
Choosing the Right Trailing Plant for Your Hanging Basket
When it comes to choosing the right trailing plant for your hanging basket, there are a few things to consider. First, think about the amount of sunlight your hanging basket will receive. If it will be in full sun, you’ll want to choose a plant that is drought-tolerant and can handle the heat.
Next, consider the size of the plant. If you want a plant that will spill over the edges of your hanging basket, choose a variety that is known to trail or spill. Some plants, like the Dichondra Silver Falls, can trail up to 4 feet long, while others, like the Blue Daze, may only trail a few inches.
Finally, think about the maintenance level of the plant. If you don’t have time to water and fertilize your hanging basket regularly, choose a plant that is low-maintenance and can withstand some neglect.
Tips for Growing Trailing Plants in Hanging Baskets
Growing trailing plants in hanging baskets can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it does require some special care. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Make sure your hanging basket has good drainage. Trailing plants don’t like wet feet, so it’s essential to have a basket with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating in the soil.
2. Use a well-draining potting mix. A good potting mix will help prevent water from accumulating in the soil and will also provide nutrients to your plants.
3. Water your plants regularly, but avoid overwatering. Trailing plants prefer moist soil, but they don’t like to be waterlogged.
4. Fertilize your plants regularly. A balanced fertilizer will provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.
5. Prune your plants regularly to encourage trailing. Pruning will help your plants to grow bushy and will encourage them to produce more stems and leaves.
Conclusion
Growing trailing plants in hanging baskets can add a touch of drama and beauty to your backyard. With the right plant and a few simple care tips, you can create a stunning display of foliage or flowers that will be the envy of your neighbors.
Remember to choose a plant that is right for your climate and maintenance level, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties and care techniques. Happy gardening!
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